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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Bulleit Bourbon
On paper Old Forester 100 Proof and Bulleit Bourbon are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Bulleit Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$25 – $32 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Bulleit Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/5 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon).